It appears that I was correct to be mistrustful of the Hierarch and his cronies, for it has been revealed to me by Inquisition operatives that they are heretics to the man. I am fortunate to have an advisor as vigilant as Commander Renatus is. Without her singular dedication, it is possible we might have missed the signs. Through her contacts, I agreed to aid the Inquisition in their pursuit of these “men”. The plan is brilliant in its simplicity. I sent Nicostratus to arrange an exchange of goods with one of the heretic Rogue Traders. The crates contain a warp-beacon tracking device, so the Inquisition can track the heretic to his base of operations. It is my sincere hope that once their guilt is determined, I will be called upon to execute the Emperor’s Justice against these traitors.

Final preparations are being made to leave Scintilla. After some bureaucratic difficulties, I decided the lead the purge of the corrupted mutants myself. It’s taken two weeks, but I am finally satisfied that we have made a clean sweep. During this time, I worked Commander Renatus’s contacts to procure an Imperial Thunder Hammer. I am told it once belonged to an Inquisitor of some renown. I only pray that I am worthy to wield it against the manifold enemies of the Imperium of Man.

It seems any amusement I may have gleaned from Kavik’s predicament at the gala has come back in the form of vial retribution. I am pleased that none but Hero (and therefore, presumably, the boys) will see the ridiculous get-up.

The command crew and I attended the Hierarch’s gala. It was a disgusting display of corruption and excess. Anyone flaunting wealth and authority in such a manner on Cadia would be publicly executed, so others might learn from the negative example. I grudgingly wore the peacock outfit Nicostratus chose for me and stooped as low as to make polite conversation with the other attendees. Fortunately, this did not last long. I made contact with Amelia Montressor and delivered my ultimatum. She made passing remarks that implied sabotage to my ship. Had we been elsewhere, I would have killed here right there. However, that would have necessitated interaction with the Arbites and I had other matters to attend to. Triox and his acolytes are in the process of sweeping the ship for any damage or interference. For her sake, I hope he finds nothing. If she makes the error of crossing me in such a way, it will certainly be her last.

I also had the opportunity to meet the ship’s new Navigator. A taciturn man, he seemed as wearied by the proceedings of the gala as myself. In our brief conversation, he was curt and to the point. I dare his temperament will suit mine own. I have sent word to my men to expedite the repair of his quarters in the Oculus. Nicostratus will see to aesthetics.

Lastly, I made contact with the Inquisitor. She is a woman after my own heart – she clearly detested the event and all it stood for. I told her of what we have discovered so far regarding Lucius Rosen and my planned pursuit of Saint Cognatius. She agreed to provide the data collected by Rosen, but sought to impose a time limit before making the discovery well-known. Naturally, I protested and asked for more exclusive control of the mission. She questioned my fitness in undertaking such a quest, as is her right as Inquisitor. It was a simple matter of reiterating my qualifications and asking her if she would dare to rely on any of the dandies and parasites that populated the event. She capitulated. And so, I go forth in the Emperor’s Light in pursuit of His most holy servant.

017-#.###.041.M42

The Command Staff attended the social gathering at the Holy Temple in Hive Subellus.

Hero attempted to dress the staff, but was thwarted at every turn.

Eventually, he convinced the captain to wear a “somber”—if fashionable—outfit.

In the name of morale, I had Triox capture an image of the event to send to Burne & Goat.

I socialized with other “bodyguards” during the event.

The Montressor “bodyguard” was as simpering and aggressive as one would expect.

I, then, left early to ascertain whether or not the rumors of The Collateral Damage being sabotaged were true.

The rumors of sabotage seemed greatly exaggerated, but I did find a swarm of navigator-corrupted mutants infesting the ventilation system.

The area of the ship under the corrupted-mutant control is large and full of human waste and bi-product.

Had I brought a true weapon with me I would have been tempted to stay and partake in battle, but—unfortunately—this would not have alerted the captain or truly eradicated the menace.

Draque has been alerted.

Hero has thought better on his determination to get me into a dress made of refined taste and weak bindings. Perhaps I will keep it. As expensive and exquisite a gift should not be wasted, and it may be the perfect cover if I must go to ground. Alternately, I’m sure it would fetch a fine price.

It seems that the navigator was only the beginning of our troubles on Scintilla. Medoc de Grave, a man whom I entrusted with the inner-workings of my house, is a servant of the Montressor Dynasty. When evidence of his treachery was shown to him by Herodion, de Grave fled the Collateral Damage. However, his escape was short-lived. Victrix showed great initiative in stealing aboard the Montressor vessel to recover him. I must remember to commend her for that. While she was aboard the Montressor ship, I had her place vox beacons in key parts of the ship. In the event of an armed engagement, these will prove invaluable in targeting critical components of the enemy vessel. It would not displease me if they forced me to make use of them.

For now, Medoc rots in a cell, awaiting my pleasure. My first instinct would be to acquaint him intimately with the cold of the void, but I must be patient – he may have more valuable uses in the days to come. Clearly, I cannot trust an outsider with the secrets of my house, so Herodion will take on Medoc’s duties going forward. I must continue to impress upon him the sensitivity of his position and hope that he will rise to the challenge presented him. At the very least, I can trust Herodion to be Herodion.

The Montressors have been allowed their games, but it stops here. They have dogged my steps since the Collateral Damage was granted to me on Holy Terra. Until recently, they have proved little more than an annoyance, but, now, they have my attention. I intend to make them regret it. I have been invited to a social engagement hosted by the Montressors being held in the honor of a ranking member of the Ecclesiarchy. I will make the Mistress of the Dynasty a one-time offer. She and her House will pursue me and mine no longer and I will forgive their trespasses. However, I will not forget. If they act against the Draque Dynasty even once more, I will destroy their House, root and stem. I will burn their colonies, destroy their ships, and kill every last one of them. This I swear.

We have come to an agreement with the Laelias. In exchange for the services of one of their senior Navigators and his attendants, we will provide them with exclusive Navigation Rights to Light Returned. The Laelia Family alone will be allowed to Navigate ships to and from House Draque’s first colony. They are making quite the gamble with this arrangement, but in so doing, are demonstrating significant faith in myself and my House. Furthermore, it is now in their best interest that I succeed. I have made a powerful ally this day.

While I was leaving, I misjudged the length the guards would spend dealing with Hero’s delivery service and was seen. With my more distinctive features covered, I doubt I was recognized.

While looking to acquire a new Navigator, Draque received an invitation to a ____ banquet. The invitation had been sent before I… reacquired Medoc. Draque plans on going in full regalia—I shall act as a bodyguard.

It seems our Master of Whispers was Whispering elsewhere as well. His treachery will not go unpunished. I will see to it that he stays hale and healthy though his trials, so that he will know the Lord Captains justice before The Emperors Mercy.

Our First Officer managed to recover him from his refuge with our enemies in a daring commando strike and now he is resting comfortably in my tender care. He will not soon forget the lesson the Lord Captain will be teaching him.

There was also some gross incompetence in our Twistcatcher, he apparently knew of ill omens from the occulus and said nothing. It will take months to fully flush out all the tainted mutants now that they have likely scattered throughout the ship. Crabb was given a permanent reminder of his failure. I shall gladly fashion him a crude replacement when he has proven himself worthy of the honor again.

Orpheus is dead. In fact, he likely died some time ago – killed by a demon who used his flesh as a puppet for it’s own vile ends. The navigator had been showing signs of unusual behavior for some time, but nothing so horrific as to arouse my suspicions. I was willing to provide a bit of leeway, as the methods of navigators can be unusual at the best of times. However, when Orpheus seized control of the minds and bodies of his acolytes, he forced my hand. Such madness and heresy must be dealt with, and so it was. We destroyed the demon and purged the mutants and heretics serving it. However, the Navigator’s Oculus will must needs be cleansed in anticipation of a new navigator.

Prior to my confrontation with Orpheus, I consulted with a scion of House Laelia. I told him of my misgivings about Orpheus. His reaction to my description of the navigator’s behavior told me much and more. He requested that I leave the matter of dealing with Orpheus to them rather than going to the Inquisition. Neither path appealed much to me, so I took matters into my own hands. Now, I am left in a rather awkward position. I require House Laelia to provide me with a navigator, so I must find a way to shape these events to seem favorable to the navigators. I fear my usual approach may go amiss here. I will consult with Nicostratus – he has a skill in twisting words.

We have arrived at Scintilla. Draque is on edge: he has issued alternate orders for the command crew to accompany him to the surface, and I am to prepare one of the ancient servitors as a gift. It pains me to think that such a miraculous child of the Omnissiah may languish again, unused, in some Imperial noble’s curiosity collection.

—

An unfortunate side effect of my research into Nicostratus’ suitability as an experimental subject is his apparent assumption that he may now speak to me at any time, regardless of the importance of the work I am carrying out. He has invited himself along on my expedition to procure servitor housing for the cherubim, and I can find no means to refuse that may avoid further political complications within the crew. My hope is that he may be of some service bartering, but I must take some time to review the response-automator subroutine.

In Which a Vacation is Ended Abruptly

I am writing from a spectacularly decatend little bar in one of these hive Vlock’s rather more sophisitacated areas. I wish I could say that i’s been a lovely litle juant down to the surface like I had hoped and wished, but we both know that kife on our miserable little ship means that nobody ever gets too comfortable before something positively awful happens to someone. Usuallyy myself. And things were going so wsimmingly, too. Oh dear. My glass appeasrs to be empty. Should remedy that situation.

Well now that its rectified I should probably explain what all it is that I"m going on about with such abosolute vehemence. And that’s dnager, Diary. I am in danger all the time from every side and even in my own ship or Draque’s ship or whomever whant sto take responsibiilty fo that nightmore the point is that our Navigaors dead bfrom some sort of demon all balled up inside it. And to think that all I had blanned form this afternoon was a lovely bit of shopping whith Triox. Is that so much to ask, DIary?. I mean, really? Just on e time I’d like to believe no even just pretend at this point that I live in a civilized universe.

Well I suppose that this means I’m going to have to do a right mit mroe negotiating for our dearest fearless socially incompetent backwards stick up his arse captain. Best get myself anorther dirnk before attepmpting that one.